Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan and Japan's Yamagata Prefecture have discussed cooperation in training and recruiting Uzbek specialists to meet the needs of Japanese employers, Uzbekistan's Migration Agency said.
The talks between Migration Agency Director Muhsinkhuja Abdurakhmonov and a delegation from Yamagata were held at the INTIL International Centre for Language and Vocational Training. The Japanese delegation included representatives of the prefectural government, Yamagata University and companies interested in recruiting workers from Uzbekistan.
The discussions focused on addressing labour shortages in Yamagata and organising vocational training for prospective employees.
Japanese representatives highlighted the region's labour shortage and expressed interest in recruiting foreign specialists who are prepared to work for local businesses and adapt to life in the region over the long term.
Uzbekistan's Migration Agency presented a model for targeted workforce training in Uzbekistan before candidates travel to Japan. Under the proposed arrangement, Japanese employers would determine candidates' qualification requirements, Japanese-language proficiency levels and training programme content.
Uzbekistan would organise candidate selection, vocational and language training, practical sessions and preparation for relocation.
The INTIL centre offers classrooms and facilities for practical training, interviews and professional assessments. It also has a dormitory with approximately 400 places.
The Migration Agency said it was ready to provide foreign partners with free access to the centre's infrastructure for joint training programmes linked to the subsequent employment of Uzbek citizens.
Training professional drivers for work in Japan was another area of discussion. The Uzbek side said a specialised training facility was being established in Tashkent Region. It is intended to use right-hand-drive trucks and simulate Japanese road conditions, allowing candidates' driving skills to be assessed and practical training to be conducted before they travel abroad.
The parties also explored potential cooperation in information technology and engineering.
A representative of Japanese company MSI described its experience in recruiting foreign IT specialists and expressed interest in working with Uzbekistan. The companies were invited to examine opportunities at IT Park Uzbekistan, including its Zero Risk mechanism, which provides infrastructure and other support to foreign IT companies starting operations in the country.
Abe Engineering expressed interest in recruiting engineering and technical personnel. At the initial stage, the company is considering the employment or internship of one or two Uzbek citizens.
The meeting also addressed specialised Japanese-language courses for students at technical universities and the formation of training groups based on employers' requirements.
Particular attention was given to agreeing on employment conditions in advance, including salaries, training duration, language proficiency requirements and opportunities for professional development.
To advance cooperation, Abdurakhmonov proposed holding a presentation of Uzbekistan's workforce potential in Yamagata Prefecture in February or March 2027, with the participation of local employers.
The parties also discussed a possible visit by the prefectural leadership to Uzbekistan to learn about the country's vocational training system, technical universities and Migration Agency facilities.
Following the talks, the sides agreed to exchange information on the staffing needs of businesses in Yamagata, identify priority occupations and candidate requirements, and develop joint language and vocational training programmes.
The cooperation is expected to expand opportunities for Uzbek citizens to find legal employment in Japan and support the training of specialists in line with Japanese employers' requirements.
